Myxomatosis

[gobbiner]

I took this today at Martin Mere a guy with me says its Myxomatosis and keeps popping its head up every few years i thought it was extinct when i wanted to show the staff it had gone disappeared

[Farplace]

Yes definately myxi. There's a lot of it about. Horrible disease which can affect pet rabbits too. A warning to pet owners to vaccinate thair bunnies.

[gobbiner]

Originally Posted by Farplace

Yes definately myxi. There's a lot of it about. Horrible disease which can affect pet rabbits too. A warning to pet owners to vaccinate thair bunnies.

They must suffer an horrible death

[STYRBJORN]

Yup, myxo. There is a lot about after the snowy winter. The rabbits were all huddled together in their burrows, snuggled up for warmth, eating each others pellets. Ideal conditions for transmission of the virus.

Ric

[Dogghound]

We've had three years without mixi here so the rabbit populations are very high, I suspect within the next year or so we will get it again. The rabbit in the OP definately has it. I saw a hare showing all the symptoms the other day, literature says this is extremely rare, however ive yet to find any other disease which would explain this individual.

[Ladywell]

I am showing my age here but .... in the 1950's we encountered a man on hillside where myself and friends played and he said there was to be a disease which would kill all the rabbits! Often wondered who he was or who employed him - but shortly afterwards we had rabbits dying from this terrible disease. I always thought that it was spread by the flea (hence rare in hares who live above ground) and that outbreaks came from rabbits re-collonising an old burrow (which reactivates the fleas). I think fleas can go into a state of torpor for many, many years until the warmth of animal or human appears? Sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

[Dogghound]

Yes its spread by fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, however its unlikely that fleas lay dormant. When rabbit populations expand and come into close contact with other populations then you get increased spread. Cold harsh winters are good at reducing mixi as it kills more of these invertebrates which carry it.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

We've had three years without mixi here so the rabbit populations are very high, I suspect within the next year or so we will get it again. The rabbit in the OP definately has it. I saw a hare showing all the symptoms the other day, literature says this is extremely rare, however ive yet to find any other disease which would explain this individual.

I think there are no certain records of Hares with myxy. It would be great if you had a picture, or could send the animal to Defra (perhaps) to get a certain ID of what is wrong with it.

henrya

[Ladywell]

Originally Posted by thunder

I think there are no certain records of Hares with myxy. It would be great if you had a picture, or could send the animal to Defra (perhaps) to get a certain ID of what is wrong with it.

henrya

Sorry Henrya - but what do you think DEFRA would do - cos they don't do much about anything??










d

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by thunder

I think there are no certain records of Hares with myxy. It would be great if you had a picture, or could send the animal to Defra (perhaps) to get a certain ID of what is wrong with it.

henrya

Unfortunately I didnt have a camera and was working at the time. The hare certainally showed symptoms of it, but was alive. I seem to remember reading a report on myxy in an irish population. Its unlikely this animal will have lasted long, I saw 2 foxes in broad daylight about 600 meters away from it. Will try to get a photo if I come across it again though.